Controversy swirls over Akon video

A video of R&B star Akon "dancing" provocatively with a 14-year-old girl onstage at his concert in Trinidad has been watched online by hundreds of thousands of people, including the father of the girl, Pastor Dave Alleyne of the Flaming Word Ministry of Chaguanas in Trinidad. The video, which features Akon simulating aggressive sex with the girl--at length and in multiple positions--was deemed by the pastor as "atrocious." The Chaguanas ministry is calling for Akon to be banned from public performances in the area.

Meanwhile, Patrick Manning, the Prime Minister of Trinidad, has demanded a formal investigation into the matter. "I got carried away, I started to dance as well but I never thought it was going to be like that," the girl told the Trinidad Express. "I was shocked, [and] my head was hitting the floor."

Coldplay singer donates to auction

Chris Martin is concerned enough about the refugee crisis in Darfur and Chad that he is willing to give the coat off his back. The Coldplay frontman is donating a black Dolce & Gabbana jacket to an auction to raise funds for Oxfam's relief efforts in Darfur and Chad, according to BBC News. The singer joins the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae, Sir Elton John, and actress Sienna Miller, who are all contributing various items to the cause. Elton John is donating a Donatella Versace suit he wore to his White Tie and Tiara Ball in 2000. Corinne Bailey Rae is also donating the red dress she wore on the video for her 2006 hit single "Put Your Records On." The 10-day eBay auction aims to raise £500,000 ($1M).

Bjork holds video contest

Bjork is jumping into the fan-submitted video fray, as her Web site is hosting a music video competition for the song "Innocence" from her forthcoming album, Volta, which hits stores May 8. Fans can go to the site to download lyrics, photos, audio files, and more to use in the video. Bjork will collaborate with the winner to complete the video, which needs to be sent in by mid-July. The video format submitted for viewing will have to be a "reasonable sized Quicktime file," according to the site. Bjork is set to debut Volta at the Coachella festival this weekend.

Willie Nelson avoids jail time

Willie Nelson and his tour manager were spared jail time yesterday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession in St. Martinville, Louisiana. The case stems from last September, when his tour bus was pulled over and state troopers said they found nearly two pounds of marijuana and two-tenths of a pound of psychedelic mushrooms. Nelson and tour manager David Anderson, along with Nelson's sister, Bobbie Nelson, and two drivers, were issued citations at the time. State District Judge Paul deMahy fined Nelson and Anderson $1,024 each and put both on probation for six months. As part of a plea agreement, the citation against Bobbie Nelson was dismissed. Nelson is also slated to play Coachella this weekend.

Spinal Tap reunion confirmed

Spinal Tap, the tongue-in-cheek rock band that pioneered the mockumentary genre, is set to reunite for the Live Earth concert on July 7 at Wembley Stadium in London, as previously reported. The original members of Spinal Tap will be there: guitarist Nigel Tufnel (played by Christopher Guest), singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). Rob Reiner, who both directed the film This Is Spinal Tap and played the fake documentarian Marty DeBergi in the film, will also be in attendance. A new 15-minute film directed by Reiner on the band's reunion will play tonight at the opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.